ALTUS ARTISTS
WILLIAM BENNETT
International Soloist, Recording Artist and Master Teacher
William plays the Altus Limited model with open G#
"I love my Altus flute. It has a rich and vibrant sound, which not only gives a singing, well projected sound in a hall but also records very well. The tubes of the Altus are made with the same process as the tubes of the Louis Lot more than a century ago. This process causes the silver to have greater density than the silver in modern cold drawn tubes used by other makers. This extra density gives the tone of the flute resonance and depth. I recommend the Altus because I prefer the tone and intonation of this instrument to any other modern instrument." - William Bennett
Congratulations
William Bennett!
Recipient of the 2002 NFA Lifetime Acheivement Award
Since the early 1970s, the National
Flute Association has contributed to the growth and evolution of flutists
and the flute industry in the United States of America and abroad. Through
the contributions of conscientious individuals the flute community at
large has flourished as a result of many individual teachers and performers.
Inspiring concerts, lectures, exhibits, and competitions have raised the
level of understanding the acoustical properties, expressive abilities
of the instrument, as well as stylistic performance practice these past
30 years. In addition to the inspiring and dedicated work of this organization
they also have a forum to recognize many of the sources of this ‘inspiration’…
mainly the talented performers and pedagogues that have led flute players
to greater creativity, greater musicality, and improved performance. This
vehicle of recognition, The National Flute Association Lifetime Achievement
Award, is bestowed on the inspiring flutists who have been our most honored
teachers and inspiring artists. Their character and dedication to the
art of playing the flute combined with their lifetime accomplishments,
has earned them the honor of receiving such an award from such an important
organization.
Listed below are the former recipients of what is metaphorically a Flutist’s
Hall of Fame. This Award was first given in 1991 to the great Jean Pierre
Rampal, the ‘father’ of us all in that his existence and success
helped bring the flute into a more popular arena necessitating such an
organization as the National Flute Association.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to William Bennett in 2002.
NFA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS
1991 – Jean Pierre Rampal
1993 – Lois Schaefer & Doriot Anthony Dwyer
1994 – Bernard Goldberg & Francis Blaisdell
1995 – Julius Baker, John Krell, & Albert Tipton
1996 – Samuel Baron & Robert Willoughby
1997 – Walfrid Kujala & Donald Peck
1998 – Albert Cooper & Charles Delaney
1999 – Jacob Berg & Robert Cole
2000 - William Hebert & Jack Wellbaum
2001 – Michel Debost & Joseph Mariano
2002 - William Bennett &
Louis Moyse
"William
Bennett (WIBB) has raised the profile of the flute to that of an instrument
of subtle tonal colours, dynamics and expression. He may well be considered
the natural heir to the legacy of his great inspiration, mentor, and teacher...Marcel
Moyse."
William Bennett, affectionately referred to by friends and students as
“WIBB” has been one of the most inspiring performers and teachers
of the last 40 years. A student of Jean-Pierre Rampal, Marcel Moyse, and
Geoffrey Gilbert, he has embodied the best of these three great masters
thereby continuing their legacy with his inspiring masterclasses and approach
to coaching flutists towards a greater musicality. To date, he has recorded
at least 300 separate musical works from the solo flute repertoire, chamber
music, including selections from his vast collection of personal transcriptions
for flute - not including the numerous orchestral recordings he has participated
in throughout his career. His orchestral career has been prolific with
his numerous performances with the London Symphony, St. Martin-in-the-Fields,
and the English Chamber Orchestra. His years of recordings and international
performances as a soloist and Principal Flutist have, along with his gift
of an unique imaginative teaching style, have earned him the recognition
of the Queen of England in 1995 with the OBE Award for his services in
music. He is most known amongst flutists for his musical integrity, beautiful
tone, and unique sense of artistry, not to mention his sense of humor.
He was honored with the NFA Lifetime Achievement Award in August 2002,
Washington D.C. – NFA Convention for his contributions and achievements.
For information about William Bennett’s recitals, masterclasses,
and recordings, please email Michie Bennett at Mmichie@email.msn.com.
You may also visit www.wibb.co.uk
for significant details, interviews, articles, and available discography.
